Abdominal trauma in dogs 1. emergency investigation

Abstract

This is the first article of a two-part series on abdominal trauma in dogs. This article focuses on the initial stabilisation and investigation of these canine patients, while the second article, to be published in a subsequent issue of In Practice, will discuss management of these patients. Although divided in this fashion, investigation and management are often concurrent in the emergency patient and this will be emphasised when particularly pertinent.

Abdominal trauma in dogs 2. management

“…ALTHOUGH this article focuses on abdominal trauma, this rarely occurs in isolation (Streeter and others 2009). Part 1 of this two‐part series on canine abdominal trauma (Humm and Cortellini 2017) emphasised the importance of identifying dysfunction of all major body systems (cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological systems). Once these have been identified, treatment is essential and is prioritised over other, non‐life threatening injuries.…”

“…This article, the second in a two-part series, describes how to manage canine trauma patients. The first part focused on the initial investigation of canine abdominal trauma (Humm and Cortellini 2017). Although this article will mention guidelines in people, these should not be automatically applied to dogs, especially when more relevant evidence for this species exists.…”